TRAUMATIC AORTIC RUPTURE - DETECTION BY T RANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

A quick and exact diagnosis of a ruptured aorta can be achieved by dif ferent imaging methods (CT, TEE, NMR). In this case report, we describ e a 36-year-old patient, who suffered rupture of the thoracic aorta in the isthmus region during a car accident. CT was suspicious of aortic rupture and the exact localization of the rupture site was visualized by TEE. It was confirmed during the operation when an aortic prothesi s was implanted. The high mortality of aortic rupture could possibly b e lowered by early application of TEE. Preoperative angiography seems not to be necessary.